BX 

&455I 
B3A3 





Class . 




Book. 



PRESENTED DY 




EEV. NOAH DAVIS, 

PASTOR OF THE 

Saratoga Street African Baptist Church, 
BALTIMORE. 



NOTICE TO TEE PUBLIC. 



The object of the writer, in preparing this account of him- 
self, is to 

RAISE SUFFICIENT MEANS TO FREE HIS LAST 
TWO CHILDREN FROM SLAVERY. 

Having already, within twelve years past, purchased him- 
self, his wife, and five of his children, at a cost, altogether, 
of over four thousand dollars, he now earnestly desires a 
humane and christian public to 

AID HIM IN THE SALE OF THIS BOOK, 

for the purpose of finishing the task in which he has so long 
and anxiously labored. 

God has blessed him in an extraordinary manner, not 
only by granting freedom to him and so large a portion of 
his family, but by giving him the hope of the gospel, and 
permitting him to preach that gospel among his own people 
—in which calling he has been engaged for about twenty- 
five years. 



THE SARATOGA STREET 




AFBICAN BAPTIST CHAPEL. 



The building, of which the above cut is an imperfect rep- 
resentation, fronts as above 100 feet on Saratoga street, and 
46 feet on Calvert street. The house is of brick, and cost 
over $18,000.— (See page 45.) 



A 



NARRATIVE 



OF 



THE LIFE 



OF 



REV. NOAH DAYIS, 



A COLORED MAN. 



WRITTEN BY HIMSELF, AT THE AGE OF FIFTY-FOUR. 



PRINTED SOLELY FOR THE AUTHOR'S BENEFIT. 




PUBLISHED BY JOHN F. WEISHAMPEL, JR., 

No. 484 West Baltimore St. 



I 






Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1859, 
by Noah Davis, in the Clerk's office of the District Court 
of Maryland. 

STEREOTYPED BY 

JOHN F. WEISHAMPEL, JR., BOOKSELLER AND PUBLISHER^ 

BALTIMORE. 



Contents. 



CHAPTER I. 

Early Life in Virginia — Example of Pious Parents. 

CHAPTER II. 

Apprenticed to the Shoe-making — Learns housework — In- 
temperance — u A negro can't be trusted " — Learning how 
to write and cipher. 

CHAPTER III. 

Religious Experience — Conviction and Conversion. 

CHAPTER IV. 

Marriage — License to Preach — Purchase of Freedom — 
Call to Baltimore. 

CHAPTER V. 

Experience in Baltimore — Education — Purchase of a Wife 
and two Children — Great Distress of Mind — Generous As- 
sistance — Church Matters. 

CHAPTER VI. 

A New Movement in Baltimore — Erection of a Meeting 
House for the African Baptist Church — Heavy Indebtedness 
— Account of the Enterprise. 

CHAPTER VII. 

Account of a Visit to the northern Cities — True Friends. 

CHAPTER VIII. 

Conclusion — Object of this Book. 



NARRATIVE. 



CHAPTER I. 
Early Life in Virginia— Example of Pious Parents. 

I was born a slave, in Madison county, Vir- 
ginia, March, 1804. My father, John Davis, 
and his family, belonged to Robert Patten, 
Esq., a wealthy merchant, residing in Fred- 
ericksburg — who was also owner, in connec- 
tion with Mr. John Thorn, of a large merchant 
mill, located on "Crooked Run/' a stream 
running between Madison and Culpepper 
counties. My father was the head miller 
in that large establishment, in which respon- 
sible station he was much respected. 

There I was born, and remained until I 
was twelve years old. Mr. Patten was al- 
ways considered one of the best of masters, 
allowing his servants many privileges ; but 
my father enjoyed more than many others. 
Both he and my mother were pious members 
of a Baptist church, and from their godly ex- 
ample, I formed a determination, before I 



10 NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 

had reached my twelfth year, that if I was 
spared to become a man, I would try to be as 
good as my parents. My father could read a 
little, and make figures, but could scarcely 
write at all. His custom, on those Sabbaths 
when we remained at home, was to spend his 
time in instructing his children, or the neigh- 
boring servants, out of a New Testament, 
sent him from Fredericksburg by one of his 
older sons. I fancy I can see him now, sitting 
under his bush arbor, reading that precious 
book to many attentive hearers around him. 

Such was the esteem I had for my pious 
father,, that I have kept that blessed book ev- 
er since his death, for his sake ; and it was 
the first New Testament I read, after I felt 
the pardoning love of God in my soul. 

My father died, August 20, 1826, aged 60 
years. My mother, Jane Davis, at the death 
of my father, removed from the farm, where 
my father died, and spent the remainder of 
her days in Fredericksburg, with her chil- 
dren. She lived to good old age, and fell 
asleep in Jesus, Dec. 24, 1831. 

My father had been allowed to keep a cow 
and horse, for his own use ; and to raise and 
feed his hogs and poultry from the mill. — 



NARRATIVE OF REV, NOAH DAVIS. 11 

He had the privilege of keeping his children 
with him, until they were old enough to put 
out to such trades as they might choose. I 
had several brothers and one sister. Two of 
my brothers, one older, the other younger 
than myself, lived with our parents, at this 
place. My oldest brother worked in the mill, 
with my father, while my youngest brother 
and I did little else than play about home, 
and wait upon our mother. I had several 
playmates, besides my brothers, and among 
them were the sons of Col. Thorn, and the 
servant boys who stayed at his house. Al- 
though many years have passed away since, 
it gives me pleasure, even now, to recollect 
the happy seasons I enjoyed with the play- 
mates of my childhood. 

But this pleasant state of things was not 
to continue long. The owners of the mill 
and farm concluded to sell out the whole con- 
cern. My father and his family then re- 
moved to another farm, belonging to our own- 
er, located in Culpeper county, near Stevens- 
burg. Here I remained nearly two years, 
working, part of the time, with a carpenter, 
who was building a summer residence for my 
master; and the rest of the time, assisting 



12 NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 

my father to cultivate as much ground as lie 
and his family could tend. Here I learned 
something of a farmer's life. The overseer, 
Mr. Daniel Brown, had the reputation of be- 
ing one of the best overseers in the county. 
But my father's family was not put under 
him further than for his protection ; for af- 
ter our owner sold the mill, he set my pa- 
rents free, and allowed them to maintain 
themselves, by cultivating as much ground 
on the farm as they needed. 

Sometimes my father would leave his little 
place in charge of my brother Kobert and my- 
self, and would hire himself to work in some 
mill, or go peddling poultry, vegetables, &c, 
at some of the market places around. 



CHAPTER II. 

Apprenticed to the shoe-making — Learns housework — In- 
temperance — U A negro can't be trusted" — Learning how 
to write and cipher. 

In December, 1818, for the first time in 
my life, I left my parents, to go a distance 
from home ; and I was sad at the thought of 
parting with those whom I loved and rever- 
enced more than any persons on earth. But 
the expectation of seeing Fredericksburg, a 
place which, from all I had then learned, I 
supposed must be the greatest place in the 
worlds reconciled me somewhat with the ne- 
cessity of saying Good-bye to the dear ones 
at home. I arrived at Fredericksburg, after 
a day and a half s travel, in a wagon — a dis- 
tance of some fifty miles. Having arrived in 
town, a boy green from the country, I was 
astonished and delighted at what appeared 
to me the splendor and beauty of the place. 
I spent a merry Christmas at my old master's 
stately mansion, along with my older broth- 
er, and for a while forgot the home on the 
farm. 

But soon, another home was selected for 
2 



14 NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVES. 

me, where I might learn a trade, and as I 
preferred the boot and shoe-making, I was 
put to Mr. Thomas Wright, a man of ster- 
ling integrity, who was considered the best 
workman in the whole town. Here I had an 
older brother living, which was some induce- . 
ment for my going to live with Mr. Wright. 
I was bound, to serve until I should be twen- 
ty-one years old. This was in January, 1819. 
Upon entering with Mr. Wright, I learned 
that the colored boys had to serve one year 
with Mrs. Wright, in the house and kitchen. 
The object of this was to train them for fu- 
ture usefulness, when called from the shop, 
to serve as waiters or cooks. Mrs. Wright 
was a good manager, and a very particular 
housekeeper. I used to think she was too 
particular. But I have learned better since. 
I have often wished, when I have been seek- 
ing homes for my children, that I could find 
one like Mrs. Wright. She would spare no 
pains to teach her servants how she wanted 
her work done; and then she would spare 
no pains to make them do it. I have often 
looked back, with feelings of gratitude and 
veneration, to that pious lady, for her untir- 
ing perseverance in training me up in the 



NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 15 

way I should go. But she is gone, as I trust, 
to receive the reward of righteousness, in a 
better world. 

After I had been under Mrs. Wright's spe- 
cial charge the first year, she could leave me 
to cook a dinner, or clean the house, or do 
anything she might set me at, without her 
•being present. I was now considered fit to 
take my seat among the hands in the shop. 

Here I found quite a new state of things. 
The shoemakers, at that time, in Fredericks- 
burg, were considered the most intemperate 
of any class of men in the place ; and as the 
apprentice-boys had always to be very oblig- 
ing to the journeymen, in order to get along 
pleasantly with them, it was my duty to be 
runner for the shop ; and I was soon trained 
how to bring liquor among the men with 
such secresy as to prevent the boss, who had 
forbidden it to come on the premises, from 
knowing it. 

But, in those days, the drinking of ardent 
spirits was a common practice, even among 
christians. With such examples all around, 
I soon learned the habit of drinking, along 
with every other vile habit to which my com- 
panions were addicted. It was true in my 



16 NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 

case, that "evil communications corrupt good 
manners ;" and had it not been for the strict- 
ness with which my boss and his amiable la- 
dy watched over me, I should in all proba- 
bility have become a confirmed drunkard, 
before my time was out. But they held the 
reins over me, and kept me in, until I had 
served out my apprenticeship. 

I can say, however, that, much as I was in- 
clined to other vices and sins, Mr. Wright 
readily gave me a recommendation for hon- 
esty, truthfulness, and goodness of character. 
In fact, he had felt such confidence in me, 
that he would often leave his shoe store in my 
care, when he would have to go to the north, 
for a supply of stock. And I can truly say, 
that I never deceived him, when he thus 
trusted me. Nothing would mortify me as 
much, as to hear it said, " A negro can't be 
trusted." This saying would always nerve 
me with a determination to be trustivorthy. — 
If I was trusted, I would deserve to be trust- 
ed. I wanted to show that principle was not 
confined to color. But I have been led to 
look at it since, and have thought that per- 
haps it was more pride than principle in me, 
at that time, for I was a wicked sinner. 



J 



NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 17 

The first idea I ever got of writing, was 
from trying to imitate my employer, wlio 
used to write the names of his customers on 
the lining of the boots and shoes, as he gave 
them out to be made. So I tried to make let- 
ters, and soon succeeded in writing my name, 
and then the word Fredericksburg, and so 
on. My father had previously taught me the 
alphabet, in the spelling book, before I had 
left the mill. After I became religious, I 
would carry my father's New Testament to 
church, and always try to get to meeting in 
time to hear the preacher read a chapter be- 
fore sermon. If he named the chapter befo^ 
reading it, I would soon find it. In this way, 
I gathered much information in pronouncing 
many hard words in the Scriptures, 

It was a long time before I learned the 
meaning of the numeral letters put in the 
Bible over the chapters. I had often seen 
them in the spelling book running alongside 
a column of figures ; but no one ever told 
me that they were put there for the same use 
as the figures. 



2* 



CHAPTER III. 
Religious Experience — Conviction — Conversion. 

Just about the close of my apprenticeship, 
and as I began to feel myself a man, I com- 
menced to visit the girls, which induced me 
go still more frequently to church. 

At that time, there were four churches in 
Fredericksburg. The colored people had 
apartments for worship with the white peo- 
ple, at each of these churches. They were 
Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopalian and 
Baptist. 

I had no particular preference for any one 
of these denominations, more than another ; 
but, went wherever my favorites went. One 
night a young lady invited me to go to the 
Methodist church, where a prayer-meeting 
was to be held. During the meeting, a ven- 
erable old gentleman rose to his feet, and re- 
lated an account of the sudden death of a 
young lady, which he had read in a news- 
papers. When he related that solemn cir- 
cumstance, it so affected me, that I felt as if 
I was about to die, in a sudden manner also. 



NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 19 

Having always, from parental training, 
purposed in my mind to become religious 
before I died, I thought that now was the 
time to begin to pray. But I could not try 
to pray in the church, for I was afraid that 
the girls would laugh at me. Yet I became 
so troubled, that I left the house, girls and 
all, intending to seek some place where I 
might pray. But to my horror and surprise, 
when I got out of the church, this reflection 
occurred to me, "God is in heaven, and you 
are on earth: — how can He hear you?" 0, 
what distress of mind I now felt ! I began to 
wonder how God could hear my prayer ; for, 
sure enough, He was in heaven, and I on the 
earth. In my perplexity, I started for home. 

Just before I reached the shop, where I 
slept, this thought struck me, if possible with 
more force than the former reflection: "God 
does see you V It really appeared to me as 
if I could see that God was indeed looking at 
me ; and not only so, but I felt that He had 
been looking at me all my life. I now said 
to myself, "It is of no use for me to pray. — 
If God has seen all my wickedness, as I feel 
that He has, then there is no mercy for me." 

So I ran to my lodging-place, and tried to 



20 NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 

hide myself in a dark room. But this was 
useless ; for it appeared that God could see 
me in the dark, as well as in the light. 

I now felt constrained to beg for mercy, and 
spent the time in trying to obtain pardon for 
my sins. But the morning came, and the 
hour drew near for the hands to go to work, 
and I was still unhappy. 

I felt so very different to what I had always 
felt, that I tried to examine my impressions 
of the previous night, to learn if it was true 
that God did see me or not; for I thought 
my imagination might have deceived me. 

Up to this time, I was not fully convinced 
that God knew all about me. So I began to 
study about the matter. As I sat on the 
shoe-bench, I picked up a bunch of bristles, 
and selecting one of the smallest, I began to 
wonder, if God could see an object so small 
as that. No sooner had this inquiry arose 
in my heart, than it appeared to me, that the 
Lord could not only see the bristle, but that 
He beheld me, as plainly as I saw the little 
object in my hand ; and not only so, but that 
God was then looking through me, just as I 
would hold up a tumbler of clear water to the 
sun and look through it. This was enough. 



NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 21 

I felt that I must pray, or perish ; and now I 
"began to pray. 

But it really seemed, that the more I prayed 
the less hope there was for me. Still I could 
not stop praying ; for I felt that God was an- 
gry with me. I had sinned against his holy 
laws ; and now, if He should cut me off, and 
send me to hell, it was but right. These 
thoughts followed me day and night, for five 
weeks, before I felt relief. At length, one day, 
while sitting on my shoe bench, I felt that 
my time had come when I must die. What 
troubled me most, was that I should have to 
appear before God, in all my sins; — 0, what 
horror filled my soul at the thought! 

I began to wonder what I must do. I knew 
I was not prepared for death and the Judg- 
ment. It is true that two of my shopmates, at 
that time, were members of the church ; but 
they did not seem to care for my soul. All 
the rest of the hands were as wicked as my- 
self. " What shall I do?" was in my mind, 
all the time I sat at work. 

The reflection occurred to me, u Tour moth- 
er is a christian ; it may be she can save you. ■ ' 
But this suggestion appeared to be offensive to 
God. Then came another thought, — "As 



22 NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 

my master was a rich man, could lie not do 
something to help me?" But I found no re- 
lief in either,... and while I sat thus, hoping 
and praying, light broke into my mind — all 
my trouble left me in an instant. 

I felt such a love and peace flowing in my 
soul, that I could not sit longer ; I sprang to 
my feet, and cried out, "Glory to God !" It 
seemed to me, that God, whom I had beheld, 
a few seconds previously, angry with me, 
was now well-pleased. I could not tell why 
this great change had taken place in me ; and 
my shopmates were surprised at my conduct, 
saying, thatl must be getting crazy. But, 
just at this moment, the thought came into 
my mind, that I was converted ; still, as I felt 
so very different from what I had expected to 
feel, I could not see how that could be. I 
concluded to run and see my mother, and ask 
her how people felt, when they got converted. 
So I went, right away, to my mother's house, 
some five or six squares from the shop. 

When I reached the door of her house, it 
appeared to me that everything was new and 
bright. I went in, and sat down. Mother 
asked me how I was. I told her, I felt right 
smart. This was a new sound from me ; for 



NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 23 

my answers to this question had long been — 
"poorly." But now came the trial; to ask 
mother how people felt, when they were con- 
verted. I felt ashamed to ask the question; 
so I went into another room ; and seeing a 
hymn book lying on the table, 1 took it up. 
The first hymn that struck my sight began 
with these words : 

"When converts first begin to sing, 

Their happy souls are on the wing — 

Their theme is all redeeming love ; 

Fain would they be with Christ above. 

With admiration they behold 

The love of Christ, which can't be told," &c. 

These lines expressed my feelings precise- 
ly, and being encouraged from them, I went 
to my mother, and asked her the question — 
" How do people feel, when they get convert- 
ed?" She replied, " Do you think you are 
converted?" Now, this was a severe trial; 
for, although I felt that I was really changed, 
yet I wanted to hear from her, before I could 
decide whether I was actually converted, or 
not. I replied, "No." Then she said, "My 
son, the devil makes people think them- 
selves converted, sometimes." I arose, and 



24 NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 

left immediately, believing that the devil had 
made a fool of me. I returned to my shop, 
more determined to pray than ever before. 

I arrived, and took my seat, and tried to 
get under that same weight, that I had felt 
pressing me down, but a short while before. 
But it seemed to me that I could not ; and, 
instead of feeling sad, I felt joyful in my 
heart; and while trying to pray, I thought 
the Saviour appeared to me. I thought I saw 
God smiling upon me, through Christ, His 
Son. My soul was filled with love to God 
and Jesus Christ. It appeared to me, I saw 
a fullness in Jesus Christ, to save every sin- 
ner who would come to Him. And I felt, that 
if I was only converted, I would tell all sin- 
ners how precious the Saviour was. But I 
could not j;hink myself converted yet, be- 
cause I could not see what I had done, for 
God to pardon my sins. Still I felt a love 
to Him for what He had done for my soul. 

Then I began to think upon my shopmates 
— and, what pity ran through my soul for 
them. I wished to pray for them ; but I felt 
so unworthy, that I could not do it. At last 
I promised the Lord that if He would convert 
my soul, I would talk to them. 



NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 25 

** It was several months after that, before 
I was made to realize this to be the work of 
God ; and when it was made plain, what 
joy it did bring to my poor soul ! 

I shortly became a member of the Baptist 
church, and was baptized, in company with 
some twenty others, by Eev. Geo. F. Adams, 
who was then pastor of the Baptist church in 
Fredericksburg — September 19, 1831. This 
church then contained about three hundred 
colored members. 



CHAPTER IV. 

Marriage — License to Preach — Purchase of Freedom — A 
Call to Baltimore. 

I had not been a member of the church a 
great while, before I formed an attachment to 
a young woman, who ultimately became my 
wife. I have ever regarded her as the special 
gift of God to me. She embraced religion 
about the same time that I did. We had been 
acquainted with each other for several years 
previous, and although we associated fre- 
quently in the same social circle together ; 
yet nothing of a special liking had manifested 
itself until the day she was baptized. 

But we were both slaves, and of course had 
to get the consent of our owners, before we 
went further. My wife belonged to the late 
Carter L. Stephenson, Esq., who was a broth- 
er to Hon. Andrew Stephenson, ofVa. My 
wife's master was quite indulgent to the ser- 
vants about the house. He never restrained 
visitors from coming on his premises to visit 
his domestics. It was said he had the likeliest 
set of servant girls in the town ; and though 



NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 27 

I cannot say I got the prettiest, yet I think I 
got the best one among them. We have 
lived happily together, as husband and wife, 
for the last twenty-eight years. We have 
had nine children — seven born in slavery, and 
two since my wife's freedom. Five out of the 
seven in slavery I have bought — two are still 
in bondage. 

Before long, the brethren chose me to fill 
the office of a deacon. But it never seemed 
to me to be the place that God designed for 
me ; though I felt willing to do whatever lay 
in my power for Grod's glory and the good of 
His people. The impression made upon my 
mind at my conversion, to talk to sinners, in- 
creased on me, until I could wait no longer. 

I related my convictions of duty to my 
brethren, and particularly to one who was al- 
ways held in high esteem for his piety and 
excellent character — a colored brother, Ar- 
mistead Walker. My case was first brought 
by him before the colored portion of the 
church ; and after a full hearing of my state- 
ment, by the white brethren, with regard to 
my call to preach, &c, I was licensed to 
preach the gospel, and exhort sinners to re- 
pentance, as opportunity might be afforded. 



28 NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 

I had ample opportunities at that time, for 
doing good; by preaching to my fellow men, 
"both in town and country. 

Several other colored brethren, about this 
time, gave evidence of having been called of 
God, to the work of preaching the gospel. 
Among these was a dear brother, named Al- 
exander Daniel. He was a bright and shin- 
ing light, among our people, and everything 
considered, I think he was the best preacher 
of color I ever heard. But alas, he is no 
more ! He was esteemed as a christian min- 
ister, and his friends, both white and col- 
ored, united in erecting a monument over 
his grave. 

In my attempts to preach the gospel to my 
fellow sinners, I often felt embarrassed, not 
knowing how to read a chapter in the Bible 
correctly. My desires now increased for such 
a knowledge of the sacred Scriptures, as would 
enable me to read a chapter publicly to my 
hearers. I thought that if I had all my time 
at my own command, I would devote it all to 
divine things. This desire I think, led me 
more than anything else, to ask permission 
of my master, Dr. F. Patten, to purchase my 
freedom. I made this a subject of prayer, 



NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 29 

both night and day, that God would show 
me what he would have me do. I felt en- 
couraged to hope that I should find favor 
with my owner, as he had always treated me 
kindly. But how shall I get the purchase 
money, provided he grants my request? — 
This appeared a difficult matter, but I thought 
if my master would give me a chance, that I 
should be able to raise the money. 

I went to him, and stated my wishes, in- 
forming him why I wanted to be free — that 
I had been led to believe the Lord had con- 
verted my soul, and had called me to talk to 
sinners. He granted my request, without a 
single objection, fixing my price at five hun- 
dred dollars. 

But now I had to tell him that I had no 
money, and that I desired him to grant me 
another request ; which was, to let me travel 
and find friends, who would give me the 
money. After learning my wishes fully, he 
consented, and told me, when I got ready to 
start, he would give me a pass, to go where I 
pleased. 

I thanked him sincerely for this privilege, 
and after making arrangements, in the way 
of obtaining suitable letters of recommenda- 



30 NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 

tion, I left Fredericksburg, in June, 1845, 
for Philadelphia, New York, Boston, &e. 

After spending nearly four months in visit- 
ing the northern cities, I returned home, with 
about one hundred and fifty dollars, greatly 
disheartened. 

Previous to going north, I had raised about 
a hundred and fifty dollars, which I had al- 
ready paid on my debt. 

The cause of my failure to raise all the mo- 
ney, I believe, was that I was unaccustomed 
to addressing large congregations of stran- 
gers; and often, when I was favored with an 
opportunity of presenting my case to the peo- 
ple, I would feel such embarrassment that I 
could scarcely say anything. And I met an- 
other obstacle, which discouraged me very 
much ; which was, that some persons would 
tell me they sympathized with me, in my ef- 
forts to get free ; but they said it was against 
their principles to give money, to buy slaves. 
I confess, this was new to me, and would 
cut me down much in my spirits — still I 
found generous and noble-hearted friends* 
who treated me with every mark of kindness. 

I began to wonder to myself, whether God 
was in this matter, or not; and if so,, why I 



NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 31 

had not succeeded. However, having re- 
turned home, I went to work at my trade, 
for the purpose of earning the remainder of 
the money. Having paid what I was able, 
toward my debt, and reserving enough to 
open a shop, upon my own account, my old 
boss, Mr. Wright, my true andconstantfriend, 
became my protector, so that I might carry on 
my business lawfully. In this, however, I was 
not very successful ; but I had not been long 
engaged at it, before I received a communica- 
tion from my white Baptist friends in Balti- 
more, through my pastor, Rev. Sam'l Smith, 
informing me that if I would come to Balti- 
more, and accept an appointment as mission- 
ary to the colored people of that city, they 
would assist me in raising the balance of the 
money then due upon myself. 

This was indeed an unexpected, and to me 
an undesired call. I began to think, how 
can I leave my wife and seven small children, 
to go to Baltimore to live,, a distance of more 
than a hundred miles from them. This, I 
thought, could not be. I thought my chil- 
dren would need my watchful care, more now 
than at any other time. It is true, they were 
all slaves, belonging to a rich widow lady. 



32 NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 

But she had always given me the entire con- 
trol of my family. Now, if I should leave 
them at their tender age, mischief might be- 
fall them. Still, as the letter from Baltimore 
was from gentlemen of the best standing, it 
became me to give them an answer. This I 
could not do, without first consulting my 
master. I did so, and after giving the mat- 
ter a careful consideration, he thought I had 
better go and see those gentlemen — he was 
perfectly willing to leave the matter to me. 

The result was, that I accepted the offer 
of the brethren in Baltimore ; and by them I 
was enabled to pay the debt I owed ; and I 
have never had cause to repent it — though I 
had misgivings sometimes, when I would get 
into trouble. 

But I have found those who were my friends 
at first, are my friends still. In a few weeks 
after I had arrived in Baltimore, (1847,) the 
white Baptists who were favorable to the mis- 
sion in behalf of the colored people, secured 
for me an appointment as missionary of the 
Domestic Board of the Southern Baptist Con- 
vention, in connection with the Maryland 
Baptist Union Association. I now felt a debt 
of gratitude to these dear friends, that I could 



NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 33 

not show more acceptably to them, than by 
engaging heartily in the work to which I had 
been thus called. I went to work, first, by 
hiring a room in a private house, where I 
would collect what few children I could get 
together, in a Sabbath school. I continued 
in this place for nearly a year, teaching the 
little children, and preaching to a few grown 
persons,, who would come in at times to hear 
what this Baptist man had to say ; and who, 
after satisfying their curiosity, would gen- 
erally leave me. During my stay in this lo- 
cality, I could not find half a dozen colored 
Baptists, who would take hold with me in 
this missionary enterprise. There were some 
few attached to the white churches ; but only 
two of those showed any disposition to help 
me in this great and good work. I found 
that everybody loved to go with the multi- 
tude^ and it was truly up-hill work with me. 
I found some who are called Anti-Mission, or 
Old School Baptists, who, when I called up- 
on them, would ask of what faith I was, — 
and when I would reply, that I belonged to 
what I understood to be the Begular Baptists, 
they would answer, ''Then you are not of 
our faith/' &c. 



34 NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 

Now I felt lonely indeed, separated far 
from home, from family, from dear brethren 
and friends ; thrown among strangers in a 
strange place. Those I came to benefit, stood 
aloof from me, and seemed to look upon all 
my movements with distrust and suspicion, 
and opposed to all I was trying to do for the 
moral and spiritual benefit of our degraded 
race. But, thanks be to God, all I found in 
Baltimore were not of this stamp. Those of 
the white Baptists who had been the means 
of calling me to this field, adhered to me 
like brethren, indeed. Could I feel at liber- 
ty to mention names, I would bring to notice 
some dear friends who have ever stood by 
me, in all my efforts to do good, and whose 
acts of disinterested benevolence have been 
rarely equaled. But their labors of love are 
recorded on high, and I must forbear. 



CHAPTER V. 

Experience in Baltimore — Education — Purchase of a Wife 
and two Children — Great Distress of Mind — Generous As- 
sistance — Church Matters. * 

When I came among the colored people of 
Baltimore, I found, to my surprise, that they 
were advanced in education, quite beyond 
what I had conceived of. Of course, as I 
never had such advantages, I was far behind 
the people ; and as this did not appear well 
in a preacher, I felt very small, when compar- 
ing my abilities with others of a superior 
stamp. I found that the great mass of col- 
ored professors of religion were Methodists, 
whose piety and zeal seemed to carry all be- 
fore them. There were, at that time, some 
ten or eleven colored Methodist churches, one 
Episcopalian, one Presbyterian ; and one lit- 
tle Baptist church, located upon the out- 
skirts of the city. The most of the Methodist 
churches were large and influential ; and the 
Presbyterian church had one of the best Sab- 
bath schools for colored children in the city. 

But the Baptist colored membership was 
looked upon as the smallest ; and under these 



36 NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 

circumstances, I was surrounded with dis- 
couragements ; although the ministers and 
brethren of other denominations have always 
treated me with marked christian kindness. 

I had never had a day's schooling; and 
coming to one of the first cities in the Union, 
where the colored people had the advantages 
of schools, and where their pulpits were oc- 
cupied, Sabbath after Sabbath, by compara- 
tively intelligent colored ministers — what 
could I expect, but that the people would 
turn away from one who was trying to preach 
in the room of a private house, some fifteen 
by twenty feet? Yet, there was no turning 
back : God had called rne to the work, and it 
was His cause I was advocating. 

I found, that to preach, like other preach- 
ers, I must improve my mind, by reading the 
Bible and other good books, and by studying 
my own language. I started afresh — I got a 
small stock of books, and the white brethren 
loaned and gave me other useful volumes, to 
which they added a word of instruction and 
encouragement, whenever an opportunity of- 
fered ; and the ministers cordially invited me 
to attend their Monday ministerial conference 
meeting, which was very useful to me. 



NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 37 

* * I had now been in Baltimore more 
than a year. My wife and seven children 
were still in Virginia. I went to see them as 
often as my circumstances permitted — three 
or four times a year. About this time, my 
wife's mistress agreed to sell to me my wife 
and our two youngest children. The price 
fixed, was eight hundred dollars cash, and 
she gave me twelve months to raise the mo- 
ney. The sun rose bright in my sky that 
day ; but before the year was out, my pros- 
pects were again in darkness. Now I had 
two great burdens upon my mind : one to at- 
tend properly to my missionary duty, the oth- 
er to raise eight hundred dollars. During this 
time we succeeded in getting a better place 
for the Sabbath school, and there was a lar- 
ger attendance upon my preaching, which de- 
manded reading and study, and also visiting, 
and increased my daily labors. On the other 
hand, the year was running away, in which 
I had to raise eight hundred dollars. So that 
I found myself at times in a great strait. 

My plan to raise the money was, to secure 
the amount, first, by pledges, before I col- 
lected any. * * Finally, the year was more 
than passed away, and I had upon my sub- 
4 



38 NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVTS. 

ecription list about one half of the money 
needed. It was now considered that the chil- 
dren had increased in value one hundred dol- 
lars, and I was told that I could have them, 
hy paying in cash six hundred dollars, and 
giving a bond, with good security, for three 
hundred more, payable in twelve months. I 
liad six weeks, in which to consummate this 
matter. I felt deeply, that this was a time 
to pray the Lord to help me, and for this my 
wife's prayers were fervently offered with my 
own. I had left my wife in Virginia, and 
come to Baltimore, a distance of over a hun- 
dred miles; I had been separated thus for 
nearly three years ; I had been trying to make 
arrangements to have her with me, for over 
twelve months, and as yet had failed. We 
were oppressed with the most gloomy fore- 
bodings, and could only kneel down togeth- 
er and pray for God's direction and help. 

I was in Fredericksburg, and had but one 
day longer to stay, and spend with my wife. 
What could be done, must be done quickly. 
I went to my old friend, Mr. Wright, and 
stated my case to him. After hearing of all 
I had done, and the conditions I had to com- 
ply with, he told me that if I would raise the 



NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 39 

six hundred dollars cash, he would endorse 
my bond for the remaining three hundred. — 
This promise inspired me with new life. The 
next thing was,, how could the six hundred 
dollars be obtained in six weeks. I had up- 
on my subscription list and in pledges near- 
ly four hundred dollars. But this had to be 
collected from friends living in Fredericks- 
burg, Washington city, Baltimore, and Phil- 
adelphia. 

I left Fredericksburg, and spent a few days 
in Washington, to collect what I could of the 
money promised to me there; and met much 
encouragement, several friends doubling their 
subscriptions. When I arrived in Baltimore, 
and made known the peculiar strait I was in, 
to my joyful surprise, some of the friends who 
had pledged five dollars, gave me ten ; and 
one dear friend who had promised me ten dol- 
lars, for this object, and who had previously 
contributed largely in the purchase of myself, 
now gave me fifty. I began to count up, and 
in two weeks from the time I commenced col- 
lecting, I had in hand four hundred dollars. 
Presently, another very dear friend enquired 
of me how I was getting along ; and when I 
told him, he said, i i Bring your money to me. * ? 



40 NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 

I did so. It lacked two hundred dollars to 
make the purchase. This, the best friend I 
ever had in the world, made up the six hun- 
dred dollars, and said, u Go, get your wife; 
and you can keep on collecting, and repay 
the two hundred dollars when you get able. " 

I was now overcome with gratitude and 
joy, and knew not what to say; and when 1 
began to speak, he would not have any of my 
thanks. I went to my boarding house, and 
shut myself up in my room, where I might 
give vent to the gratitude of my heart : and, 
0, what a melting time I had ! It was to me 
a day of thanksgiving. 

Having now in hand the six hundred dol- 
lars, and the promise of Mr. Wright's security 
for three hundred more, I was, by twelve 
o'clock, next day in Fredericksburg. 

At first sight, my wife was surprised that 
I had come back so soon ; for it was only two 
weeks since I had left her ; and when I in- 
formed her that I had come after her and the 
children, she could hardly believe me. In a 
few days, having duly arranged all things rel- 
ative to the purchase and removal, we left 
for Baltimore, with feelings commingled with 
joy and sorrow — sorrow at parting with five 



NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 41 

of our older children, and our many friends ; 
and rejoicing in the prospect of remaining to- 
gether permanently in the missionary field, 
where God had called me to labor. I arrived 
in Baltimore, with my wife and two little 
ones, November 5th, 1851, and stopped with 
sister Hester Ann Hughes, a worthy member 
of the M. E. Church, with whom I had been 
boarding for four years. 

The Md. Baptist Union Association was 
now in session here^ and it became my duty 
to prepare my church letter and missionary 
report, for that body. The church had now 
been organized just three years ; commencing 
with only four members, including the pas- 
tor. Our church statistics for the year, as 
reported, were : Baptized, 2 ; Received by let- 
ter, 2 ; Present number of members, 15 

Sabbath school much revived, under the spe- 
cial efforts of several white brethren and sis- 
ters. Present number of Sunday scholars, 50. 

This year was a joyful one to me — my lit- 
tle church increasing, and the Sabbath school 
flourishing, under the superintendence of the 
late truly excellent brother James C. Crane, 
though he was with us but for a short sea- 
son. My wife and little ones were also with 
4* 



42 NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 

me, both in the church and Sabbath school. 
I was a happy man, and felt more than ever 
inclined to give thanks to God, and serve Him 
to the best of my ability. 

My salary was only three hundred dollars 
a year; but with hard exertion and close 
economy, together with my wife's taking in 
washing and going out at day's work, we 
were enabled by the first of the year, to pay 
the two hundred dollars our dear friend had 
loaned us, in raising the six hundred dollars 
before spoken of. But the bond for three hun- 
dred dollars was now due, and how must this 
be met? I studied out a plan ; which was to 
get some gentleman who might want a little 
servant girl, to take my child, and advance 
me three hundred dollars for the purpose of 
paying my note, which was now due in Vir- 
ginia. In this plan I succeeded; and had my 
own life insured for seven years for five hun- 
dred dollars, and made it over to this gen- 
tleman, as security; until I ultimately paid 
him the whole amount ; though I was several 
years in paying it. 

Among the number that joined our little 
church, was a young brother, Jos. M. Harden, 
who was baptized by Dr. Fuller, but soon 



NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 43 

became a valuable member with us, botli in 
the church and Sunday school. He was born 
in Baltimore, and had been early taught to 
read, and though he had been at ten years 
old bound out, till he was twenty-one, his 
love of books had made him far superior to 
colored people generally, and he was very 
valuable to me. Things had gone on hope- 
fully with me, and my little church, though 
our progress was very slow. But we had to 
suffer a loss in brother Harden's leaving us 
for the great missionary field in Africa, 
where I trust the Lord has sent him for a 
great and happy work. But God has blessed 
us in the person of brother Samuel W. Mad- 
den, whose labors as a licensed preacher for 
several years have been invaluable to us. 



CHAPTER VI. 

A New Movement in Baltimore — Erection of a Meeting 
House for the African Baptist Church — Heavy Indebtedness 
— Account of the Enterprise — Personal Troubles. 

For several years previous to Jan., 1855, 
our little church and Sunday school had oc- 
cupied a very inconvenient upper room on 
Courtland street. Our particular friend, Mr. 
William Crane, with some other white per- 
sons to aid him ,, was the devoted superintend- 
ent of our Sunday school, and the unfailing 
friend of our own little churchy as well as of 
me personally. Mr. Crane had felt, with us, 
the great disadvantage of our place of wor- 
ship, and had exerted himself much to obtain 
a more commodious room for us. But in 
July, 1853; he commenced an extraordinary 
effort in our behalf, by purchasing a lot — 
one hundred feet by forty-six feet — with three 
fronts, on Calvert, Saratoga and Davis streets, 
on which a chapel building has been erected 
for us. 

Our chapel was opened for worship Feb. 18, 
1855 ; and Eev. Dr. Fuller preached the open- 
ing sermon to a crowded audience. 

On this occasion Mr. Wm. Crane read a de- 



NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 45 

tailed report of all the facts relative to this 
building — a full copy of this report may be 
interesting probably to my readers, and I 
have therefore obtained it, and here present 
it, in connection with a picture of the build- 
in g, which will be found opposite the title 
page. 

HISTORY OF THE SARATOGA STREET AFRICAN 
BAPTIST CHAPEL. 

"The questions have often been asked in 
this vicinity during the last six months. 
Who is putting up that large building called 
the ' Saratoga Street African Baptist Chap- 
el ?' ' What are they putting it up for ?' — 
'Wliti will own it, when finished?' 'How 
much will it cost? and who will pay for it?' 

These questions have often been answered, 
but it seems proper, and indeed necessary, at 
this time to answer them plainly and clearly, 
for the information of this large assembly. 

First, then, I reply: This entire building 
has been reared under my directions, in the 
name of the Saratoga street African Baptist 
Church. 

This Church was organized with only four 



46 NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 

members, six years ago, with brother Noah 
Davis, a missionary of the Md. Baptist Union 
Association, as its pastor, who has labored 
most faithfully in his work. But, although 
colored churches of the Baptist denomination 
in all of our Southern and Western cities 
count their members by thousands, this church 
has now only thirty members — but our hope 
and prayer is, that established here in the 
centre of a population of full thirty thousand 
colored people, G-od may bless the humble 
devoted efforts of His people, and increase 
their numbers a hundred fold. Four years 
ago, the 1st of January, we commenced a 
Sunday school in Courtland street, — where 
this church has always held its regular meet- 
ings, which notwithstanding its many dis- 
couragements — mostly from a want of devo- 
ted self-denying teachers — has been unremit- 
tingly kept up morning and afternoon, till 
the present time, with an attendance vary- 
ing from thirty to over one hundred schol- 
ars; and we feel assured that the hundreds 
of Bibles and Testaments, tracts, &c, with 
the Sunday school instructions, and the 
preaching of brother Davis will have laid the 
foundation for a lasting blessing to his peo- 



NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 47 

pie. This little church and Sunday school 
have met to-day for the first time in this build- 
ing, and in the language of the Psalmist Da- 
vid, probably on an occasion like this, we 
would exclaim, " Send now, we beseech thee, 
Lord — Lord, we beseech thee, send now 
prosperity !"— (Ps. 118: 25.) 

But what are the objects for which this 
house has been built ? I answer, the first ob- 
ject was, to furnish such a room as this, tor 
the use of this church, where the gospel might 
be preached and its ordinances administered, 
and where Sunday schools and religious as- 
sociations might be properly accommodated. 
The second was, to furnish rooms in the next 
story, for a male high school at one end, and 
a female high school at the other, and where 
colored missionaries for Africa might be edu- 
cated for that most important field of labor ; 
with a large hall in the centre, for a lecture 
room, or for any other religious, moral, or 
useful purposes. The upper story has four 
separate rooms, finished for renting to associ- 
ations of colored people, with a view to pay- 
ing whatever debt may remain on the build- 
ing, and for defraying its current expenses; 
— and it is hoped that, at some future day, a 



48 NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 

reading room and a circulating library for 
colored people may also be located here — the 
whole of it combining a most respectable, 
central, commodious Colored People s Home. 
But it is asked, who owns this building ? 
I admit that it is an unusually mixed up af- 
fair ; but I will try to explain it. After a 
great deal of searching and enquiring after a 
lot or building, where this Church and Sun- 
day school could have a settled home, about 
two years ago, I was informed that this lot 
was for sale ; and realizing instantly that my 
cherished objects could here be accomplished 
I bought it without hesitation, for five thou- 
sand dollars ; but the loss of two years' interest 
and the amount paid to tenants to move away, 
makes the cost of the lot now full six thou- 
sand dollars. I obtained the deed of J.H.B, 
Latrobe, Esq., who sold it, as trustee for the 
estate of Hugh Finley, deceased, under an 
order of Court. After a charter of incorpor- 
ation for the Church had been made, I got Mr. 
Latrobe to draw up also this deed, [here pre- 
senting it] which he says is a perfectly good 
one — from William Crane and wife, to Geo. 
F. Adams, J. W. M. Williams, and John W. 
Ball, as trustees for all concerned, conveying 



NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 49 

to this Church all my right and title forever 
to all of the proposed building on this lot 
above the first story : leaving me the base- 
ment and the cellar as my own property for- 
ever, with the proviso, that the Church in its 
own name should put up the entire building. 
But I agreed at the same time to subscribe 
five thousand dollars on the subscription book 
of the Church towards erecting it. So that 
I am now sole owner of the store and cellar 
under the Chapel — the Church has no own- 
ership there at all — but the Church is legal 
owner of this Chapel and all the rooms above 
it. The Church appointed me their agent to 
build the house, and as such I have made all 
the contracts, paid out all the monies, and as- 
sumed all the liabilities. Before commencing 
the building, as before stated, my own sub- 
scription was $5,000 

My brother, J.C.Crane, from whom I 

expected efficient personal aid, gave.. 1,000 

Bro. Franklin Wilson, 1,000 

A. Fuller Crane, 500 

John W. Ball, 250 

J. B. Thomas, 100 

Among our colored friends, about 200 



Amounting to, say, $8,050 

5 



50 NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 

Since that time, the pressure on the money 
market has prevented any general effort to 
obtain subscriptions, but a city pastor has 

subscribed $150 

A sister of the First Baptist Church 100 

Bro. Jonathan Batchelor , of Lynn, Mass... 100 

Making in all, a total of, $8,400 

The entire cost of the building, notwith- 
standing the most rigid economy, will be over 
eighteen thousand dollars, and full half of 
this amount is yet unprovided for. The bills 
are not all presented, but some of the larger 
ones which have been settled by notes w T ill be 
due in a short time ; while the largest one, 
the lumber bill, has six months to run yet, 
so that I am bound to settle up and pay the 
entire balance of expenditure on this house, 
as agent of the Church, within the coming 
six months. And whatever amount of mo- 
ney I advance over and above the subscriptions 
and collections must, of course, remain as a 
debt due me by the Church, and be on inter- 
est until paid. 

The last question, how is the money ob- 
tained to pay for the building? has been part- 
ly answered ; but a full explanation of it will 



NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 51 

depend on what the friends of the object will 
now contribute toward paying for it. I will 
subscribe one dollar for every ten dollars that 
may be subscribed and paid on account of the 
Church debt within the year 1855. In other 
words, I will add ten per cent to any amount 
which may be contributed. I may remark, 
that in engaging in this project, I had not a 
dollar which I wished to put out at interest. 
I want much more than my capital in my 
mercantile business. I am in tact borrowing, 
to lend to the Church. But it is God's cause, 
and I have had to trust in Him to bear me 
through it. The failing health of my dear 
brother, J. C. Crane, * and the want of his in- 
valuable co-operation with me, as well as 
the lack of hearty, zealous assistance on the 
part of many other brethren and friends, has 
been painful to me. But I hope, now that the 
house is finished, the friends of our Eedeem- 
er's cause anc( of the African race generally, 
may not fail in lending their efficient aid. 

I have only to add, brethren, "the time is 
short;" we must all of us soon appear before 
the judgment seat of Christ, to render an ac- 



* Died March 31, 185 7. See Memoir of Southern Baptist 
Publication Society. 



52 NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 

count of all the talents committed to our 
charge. If God has given me a talent for 
the acquisition of money over and above 
what my duty to my family requires, I re- 
gard myself bound as a good steward to ex- 
ert that talent entirely for Him. I am not 
my own, and I feel perfectly assured that any 
individual who possesses the tact and ability 
for acquiring money is neccessarily the best 
qualified for a judicious and proper disburse- 
ment of it ; and I dare not try to leave my 
earthly acquisitions in testamentary charita- 
ble bequests — to the inexperienced and uncer- 
tain management of those who may come af- 
ter me. 

May God help us to work for Him, and at 
last may we hear, 'Well done, good and 
faithful servant ; enter thou into the joy of 
thy Lord/ " 

This paper was read to the congregation, 
probably a thousand people, immediately af- 
ter Dr. Fuller had preached the opening ser- 
mon, Feb. 18, 1855 ; and a collection was tak- 
en of about one hundred dollars. Subse- 
quent to this, a venerable widow lady of Bal- 
timore contributed $500, and other quite lib- 
eral donations were made. 



NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAWS. 53 

On the 1st of July, 1855, Mr. Crane ren- 
dered a full account to the Church and trus- 
tees, of all the monies received and bills paid 
on the building ; showing that the entire cost 

of it was, $18,207,73 

Total ain't of collections credited,... 9, 547, 86 



Leaving balance over-paid by him, ..$8, 659, 87 

The trustees then gave Mr. Crane a bond 
for this balance, and a lease on the building, 
until this debt, with interest on it, could be 
paid. 

Our Church now had great cause of grati- 
tude at finding ourselves in a fine large Chap- 
el, in the centre of our city — a room 100 feet 
long, and 19 feet high, with a gallery at each 
end, a baptistery, gas lights, and sliding 
partitions, to make two closed rooms under 
the galleries, when needed for the changing 
of clothes on baptismal occasions, as well as 
for our Church prayer and conference meet- 
ings. 

We were in hopes that we could rent out 
the large hall, together with the six other 
spacious rooms in the two upper stories, for 
schools, benevolent societies, &c, so as to 
pay the interest on our debt, if no more ; but 
5* 



54 NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 

so far, we have not been able to do this. My 
own trials, with my family, have greatly re- 
tarded my efforts in this matter. We have 
had the largest and best week-day school for 
colored children in the city — a part of the 
time with three teachers and over one hun- 
dred scholars — but for four years, no rent has 
been received from the school. The prices 
for tuition have been so low, that they have 
hardly sustained the teachers ; but we trust 
that our people have derived much benefit 
from them already, and hope they may re- 
ceive much more good from them in the fu- 
ture. Since the dedication of our Chapel, 
our Church has more than doubled its mem- 
bership, and the congregation has increased 
four-fold; while on our baptizing occasions 
the hall is generally full. We have always 
held three meetings for worship every Sun- 
day, to accommodate many servants, who 
have no command of their time, and also reg- 
ular Wednesday and Friday evening prayer 
and conference meetings. Our Sunday school 
has always had two sessions a day — an hour 
and a half in the morning, and an hour in 
the afternoon. 

I have been necessarily much hindered in 



NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 55 

my own labors, from pecuniary embarrass- 
ments, arising from the sale of my children, 
who were left in Virginia — two daughters 
and three sons. The first of these, who was 
about to be sold, and taken away South, was 
my oldest daughter; and it was with great 
difficulty and the help of friends that I raised 
eight hundred and fifty dollars, and got her 
on to Baltimore. But I was soon called upon 
to make a similar effort to save my eldest son 
from being sold far from me. Entirely un- 
expected,! received the painful news that my 
boy was in one of the trader's jails in Rich- 
mond, and for sale. The dealer knew me, 
and was disposed to let me have him, if I 
could get any one to purchase him. I was, 
of course, deeply anxious to help my boy ; 
but I began to think that I had already drawn 
so heavily on the liberality of all my friends, 
that to appeal to them again seemed out of 
the question. I immediately wrote to the 
owners of my son, and received an answer — 
that his price was fixed at seven hundred dol- 
lars. 

The fact is. God had already done so much, 
more for me and my family than we had ev- 
er expected, that we could not tell what fur- 



56 NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 

ther help He might give us, until we had 
asked Him for it ; and we could but pray over 
this trying affair. I hardly knew what else 
to do, but pray. The boy was twenty years 
old, and had been accustomed to waiting in 
the house, for the most respectable families. 
It occurred to me, that I might perhaps get 
him a home near me, where we might see him 
and use our parental influence over him. I 
thought it was possible, that I might find 
three hundred persons among my friends in 
Baltimore, who would contribute one dollar 
each to save my son, and that I might then 
obtain some friend in Baltimore to advance 
four hundred dollars, and let my son work it 
out with him : and give this friend a life in- 
surance policy on the boy, as a security. This 
plan seemed practicable, and I wrote to his 
owners, asking for ten days to raise the mo- 
ney ; which they granted me. 

I now got my case made known publicly to 
the different colored congregations in the city 
— and was very much surprised to find how 
many friends I had, and how kindly they en- 
gaged in helping me. The result of it was, 
that I obtained the three hundred dollars, 
and also a kind friend to advance the four 



NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 57 

hundred dollars, within the ten days, and re- 
covered my son; who is now doing well, in 
working out the money advanced on him. 

So far, I felt that I had great reason to say, 
f * Hitherto the Lord hath helped me." I had 
obtained my own freedom and also that of my 
wife and four children. 

But three of my children were still in bon- 
dage. In 1856^ the mistress of these remain- 
ing ones died; and in settling up her estate, 
it became necessary to sell all her servants at 
auction with her other property. This was 
the decision of the Court; and commissioners 
were appointed to carry out the sale, on the 
1st of January, 185 7. I felt now, that I had 
gone as far as I could in getting my family 
free ; for I felt very certain that my daugh- 
ter, about whom I felt the greatest anxiety, 
would sell at auction for more money than I 
could get any of my friends in Baltimore to 
give for her ; and I saw no way to do any 
thing for the two boys. I thought I had no 
chance of raising any more money myself, 
and I could only pray the Lord to grant 
us His grace, to reconcile us and the chil- 
dren, to whatever might come upon us. But 
before the end of the year, when the sale was 



58 NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 

to take place, the time was extended six 
months by the Court. My hopes now began 
to revive again ; I began to think that if I 
could be at the sale, my daughter, though a 
grown up girl might possibly not bring over 
six or seven hundred dollars. In that case, 
I might perhaps get six or twelve months 
time, and get some friend in Baltimore to 
help me, as had been the case with my son. 
The sale was postponed for six months lon- 
ger, and finally occurred, Jan. 1, 1858. 

The money panic, of 1857, had partially 
destroyed my hopes of doing anything to re 
lieve my daughter; — But I had secured the 
promise of a kind friend in Baltimore, to go 
to Fredericksburg with me, and if he liked 
the appearance of the boys, to buy one or both 
of them. But in this I was disappointed ; 
for on the day of sale this gentleman was 
confined to his house by sickness. The sale 
went on. My oldest son, aged twenty-one, 
sold for $560 ; and the younger one, just 
turning his seventeenth year, brought $570. 
They were bought in by their young master. 
But my daughter was run up to $990, by a 
slave trader, who after the sale agreed to let 
my friends have her, for me, for eleven hun- 



NARRATIVE OF KEY. NOAH DAVIS. 59 

dred dollars. These friends were gentle- 
men of the first standing in the place, who, 
out of kindness to rne, whom they had well 
known for years, gave their bond jointly 
for the amount, and in this case again I got 
the girl's life insured for one thousand dol- 
lars as a security for them. The girl was of 
course left in the hands of these gentlemen, 
in whom I had the most implicit confidence. 
I returned to Baltimore, and prepared for 
the redemption of my child. I had a circu- 
lar printed, showing the facts as they were, 
and scattered it among my friends. 



CHAPTER VII. 
Account of a Visit to the northern Cities — True Friends. 

During the winter and spring, I used ev- 
ery effort in my power in the way of collecting 
funds, but, though I met with the most gen- 
erous sympathy and kindness from all my 
friends — up to the 1st of June I had in hand 
only one hundred and fifty dollars. I then 
applied to the Mission Board, for permission 
to'travel and solicit funds to help me out of 
my distress. This was readily granted me. 
Having obtained a certificate, relative to the 
objects of my journey, signed by Eev. Frank- 
lin Wilson, Secretary of our State Mission- 
ary Board, as well as by the pastors and 
other friends in Baltimore, I started once 
more on this painful business of begging 
money, to purchase my fifth child out of sla- 
very. I went to Philadelphia, and met with 
marked attention from the ministers of the 
Baptist churches generally, and especially 
from Bev. Messrs. McKean, Cole, and Grif- 
fith, with whom I had been acquainted in Bal- 
timore; as well as Kevs. Messrs Cuthbertand 
Malcom, and the editors of the Christian 



NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 61 

Chronicle, Presbyterian, &c. I obtained in 
this city nearly two hundred dollars. 

With a view to meet a particular friend in 
Boston, I was induced to visit that city next. 
The many acts of kindness and sympathy I 
met with there can never be effaced from my 
memory. I had a special introduction to the 
Messrs. Gould and Lincoln, book publishers. 
To the latter, I owe a lasting obligation. — 
Through him I obtained a hearing of my case 
in Mr. Anderson's church, Eoxbury, where I 
obtained very liberal aid, while the pastor 
was absent, as well as in many other cases. 

I called on Kev. Dr. Stow, who allowed my 
case to be presented to his congregation, at 
an evening meeting, where I received some 
fifty dollars. He also gave me a letter of 
commendation to the other Baptist ministers, 
with a request that they would also sign it, 
which a large number did. The article was 
then published gratuitously for me in the 
" Watchman and Reflector " and cc Christian 
Era." Bev. L.A.Grimes, pastor of the 12th 
Baptist Church, (colored,) from the respect- 
able position which he occupied in the com- 
munity, did much for me, in furthering my 



62 NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 

cause, and introducing me to others, espe- 
cially at the daily prayer meetings. 

I had the great privilege and pleasure of 
mingling with the people of God of every 
name,, in these blessed meetings. The first I 
went to, was at the old South Chapel. Here 
I felt at fi»st greatly embarrased when called 
on to speak or pray. I thought that those 
who came to these meetings must be among 
the most pious and intelligent people in 
Boston. The kind manner in which they 
treated me, confirmed me in my impressions 
of them. But the best meetings, I think I 
ever enjoyed on earth, for such a length of 
time, (nearly two months,) was at what was 
called the North street prayer meeting, or 
Father Mason's. This was in a large upper 
room. It really appeared to me ; that the 
most of those who met at this place each day 
at twelve oclock to spend an hour in prayer, 
to tell what God had done for their souls, 
had been made "ready/'" by the Spirit of 
God before they reached that sacred spot. — 

I know, I shall fail to present a true pic- 
ture of this heavenly place; for such it was 
to me, and many others. But, it may be, 
that my own peculiar circumstances may 



NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 63 

have rendered the meetings unusually pre- 
cious to me. But they were good to me in 
many respects. I was a poor colored man, in 
distress, and needed christian sympathy. I 
found it truly, among the many white friends 
with whom I met in the North street prayer 
meeting. There, in that meeting, the dear 
friends would pray with me and for me. In 
a word, I felt at times it was good for me to 
be afflicted, for surely, if it had not been for 
my peculiar circumstances, I should never 
have been inside the Old South Chapel, or 
North street prayer meeting, where I enjoyed 
so much of God's presence, and found so 
many real friends, in the midst of strangers. 
I felt that I realized what the apostle Peter 
meant: " If need be, ye are in heaviness, 
through manifold temptation, that the trials 
of your faith, being much more precious than 
gold that perisheth, though it be tried with 
fire, might be found unto praise and honor 
and glory, at the appearing of Jesus Cirrisk" 
— (1 Peter 1: 6,7.) Also, "For I will show 
him how great things he must suffer for my 
name's sake." — (Acts 9 : 16.) The argu- 
ments I drew from these passages of Scrip- 
ture were, to show that when God wanted to 



64 NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 

purify our faith, and strengthen our confi- 
dence in Him, He would send trials upon us. 
And to let us see how great the things we 
must suffer for His name's sake, and to let 
us see too how great the grace He gives us, 
to enable us to endure hardness, as good sol- 
diers of the cross. 

Suffice it to say, the friends in Boston and 
its vicinity gave me about four hundred dol- 
lars towards the purchase of my daughter. I 
had the privilege of meeting the Baptist min- 
isters in their conference meeting. Here the 
Bev. Mr. Tilson, pastor of the First Baptist 
Church at Hingham, invited me to spend 
a Sunday evening at his place, which I did, 
very greatly to my own satisfaction and pro- 
fit. During my stay in Boston, I visited 
several of the smaller towns adjacent to it, — 
Lynn, Cambridge, Melrose, Maiden, Chelsea, 
and others, and I was kindly received at all 
of them. I collected in Lynn something 
like $50, the most of which was given to me 
by the members of the 2nd Baptist Church. 
Just before leaving Boston, to my great and 
agreeable surprise, I met Dr. F. Patten, sur- 
geon in the U. S. Navy, (my former owner,) 
in the street, in that city. I had not seen 



NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 65 

him for seven or eight years, and had no 
thought of seeing him in Boston. He re- 
cognized me first, and spoke to me before I 
knew he was near ; but I instantly knew him. 
We greeted each other heartily, and he in- 
vited me to visit him at Chelsea. This I did, 
the same afternoon, and was kindly treated. 

While I sat there with him and his chil- 
dren, and he was looking over my subscrip- 
tion book, I was constrained to look back for 
fifteen years, over all the way the Lord had 
brought me, since the day this same gentle- 
man had given me privilege to purchase my 
freedom, and handed me a pass, saying, "I 
am not afraid of you running away, Noah — 
you may go where yon please.'' I reflected, 
suppose I had stayed away, when I was in 
Boston, twelve years ago, begging money to 
buy myself — how would it be with me and 
my family to-day ? But I have tried to ac- 
knowledge the Lord in all my ways, always 
asking counsel of Him, and I now feel that 
He has kindly directed and kept me. 

I also visited New Bedford, where I met a 
large number of my old acquaintances from 
Virginia, and had the privilege of presenting 
my object to several of the Churches, and I 

6* 



66 NABRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 

received in all about $50. I next went to 
Providence, Ehode Island, where I spent a 
couple of weeks greatly to my advantage. It 
was indeed ' c providence " tome. I was per- 
mitted to present my case to nearly all the 
Baptist Churches in that city. Five of these 
aided my cause ; but their great kindness de- 
serves some particular notice. The first one 
I visited was Rev. Mr. Stone's, whose congre- 
gation, with himself, greatly encouraged me. 
At the First Church I told my story before an 
evening meeting, and shall never forget the 
kindness of the pastor, the senior deacon, and 
others. I obtained here nearly $100. I was 
kindly assisted by Rev. Mr. Keyser's Church, 
as also the Fourth Baptist Church. But at 
the Central Baptist Church, Rev. Mr. Fields', 
I found unbounded kindness and liberality. 
After seeing my letters of recommendation, 
the pastor invited me to his prayer meeting, 
where I was favored with the privilege of 
telling my story, freely. I had been from 
home several months, and had collected in all 
about seven hundred dollars, but still lacked 
about four hundred to accomplish my object. 
I was receiving letters every week from my 
Church and family, saying that my presence 



NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 67 

at home was greatly needed ; but the idea of 
going home without accomplishing my great 
object, rilled me with distress. While speak- 
ing to the meeting, and telling how God had 
delivered me from time to time out of trials, 
I felt such a sense of my condition, that for 
the moment I could not restrain my feelings 
— my heart became so full, that it stopped all 
utterance. At the close of the meeting, the 
people showed their sympathy for me by giv- 
ing me a collection of sixty one dollars. — 
One dear brother, (may the Lord bless him!) 
came forward, and presenting me with a ten 
dollar bill, said, " Brother Davis, give your- 
self no more trouble about that daughter. — 
You say you have to stop in New York. Let 
me say, that when you get home, whatever 
you lack of the four hundred dollars, write 
to me, and I will send you a check for the 
balance/ ' This was spoken in the presence 
of the whole meeting. I felt completely at 
a loss for words of gratitude and thanksgiv- 
ing; and merely said, the day is broke, and 
the Lord has appeared for me indeed! 

I now left Providence, feeling in my heart 
that the place is rightly called by that name, 
as far as I am concerned. 



68 NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 

I then went to New York. In that great 
city, I met with considerable assistance. I 
never started out, but it seemed that the 
Lord directed my steps. I was allowed to 
address a prayer meeting of the First Baptist 
Church, whose pastor was the late excellent 
Kev. A.K.Nott, and was aided to the amount 
of over seventy dollars. 

Rev. Dr. Lathrop, with much christian 
kindness, invited me to his night meeting ; 
but a severe rain prevented any attendance. 
He invited me again, and then he was absent 
because of illness. I was depressed with dis- 
appointment; but he had sent a request that 
I might be heard, (as I afterward learned,) 
and I was called on to state my case to the 
audience. I was taken by surprise, for the 
pastor's illness had taken all hope from me 
of accomplishing anything there. Still I be- 
gun, by telling my experience. I said that 
when it had pleased God to convert my soul, 
I thought that all my trouble was gone, and 
gone forever ; but I had since learned that I 
was much mistaken — I had learned that u in 
the world we shall have tribulation. ' ' I then 
went on to state my present trouble and dis- 
tress — and before I left the meeting, I re- 



NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 69 

ceived with heart-felt gratitude, one hundred 
and thirty- four dollars,, This reminded me 
of Providence. 

Eev. Drs. Gillette and Armitage treated 
me with much generous sympathy, as also 
did many others. 

I visited Greenport on Long Island, where 
Eev. Henry Knapp kindly aided me. Elders 
Swan and Eead, and the brethren generally 
at New London, aided me to the amount of 
about fifty dollars. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Conclusion — Object of this Book. 

I NOW left the north, for homeland arrived 
there safely. Myfriends greeted me cordial- 
ly on my success in collecting money. 

I still lacked, however, one hundred and 
forty-two dollars of the needed eleven hun- 
dred. I had used every effort in my power 
to prevent the necessity of having to call on 
my generous friend in Providence. But 
in spite of all my endeavors, I had to make 
known to him this deficiency, which he im- 
mediately and generously supplied, by re- 
mitting me a check for the full amount. 

I was now prepared to go after my daugh- 
ter, which I did, December 1st, 1858; thus 
releasing her within one year from the time 
she was sold. She is now with me, and do- 
ing well. 

I received a promise from the young mas- 
ter of my two sons, at the time he purchased 
them, that if I should succeed in paying for 
my daughter during that year, he would let 
me know what I might have my two boys 
for. At the time, my boys were about re- 



NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 71 

turning to Kichmond, where they had been 
hired out for several years. I charged them 
to let me hear a good report of their conduct ; 
and if I could do anything for them, after I 
had got through with the purchase of their 
sister, I would do it, This pledge I made 
to the boys, in the presence of their master's 
agent. 

Having, through the aid of a kind Provi- 
dence, been enabled to pay for my daughter, 
I have felt it my duty to turn my attention 
toward redeeming my word to my last chil- 
dren now in bondage. 

But this, of course, has called up anxious 
thought and prayerful meditation. I have 
also considered the peculiar condition of my 
church — the large outlay of money in the 
erection of the building, and the heavy debt 
hanging upon it, which is increased every 
year by the interest. I have also considered 
how long I have been supported in this field 
of labor by the Missionary Board of the South- 
ern Baptist Convention and the Maryland 
Baptist Union Association. 

The question then occurred to me, Could 
I not, by making a book, do something to re- 
lieve myself and my children, and ultimate- 



72 NARRATIVE OF REV. NOAH DAVIS. 

ly, by the same means, help my church, 
under its heavy debt, and also relieve th* 
Missionary Board from helping me. This 
idea struck me with so much force, that I 
have yielded to it — that is, to write a short 
Narrative of my own life, setting forth the 
trials and difficulties the Lord has brought 
me through to this day, and offer it for sale 
to my friends generally, as well as to the 
public at large ; and I hope it may not only 
aid me, but may serve to encourage others, 
who meet with similar difficulties, to put 
their trust in God. 



END OF THE NARRATIVE. 



SERMON. 

BY REV. NOAH DAVIS 

Text. — " But if any provide not for his own, and 
especially for those of his own house, he hath denied 
the faith, and is worse than an infidel. " — 1 Tim. 5 : 8. 

In this chapter, we have several christian 
duties set forth by the apostle Paul, to Tim- 
othy, a young preacher of the gospel, who was 
to teach other christians to observe them, as 
evidences of the genuineness of their faith 
in Christ. 

That faith which does not produce obedi- 
ence to the commands of Jesus must be re- 
garded as defective. Eeligion requires us to 
love God, and all men, and we must show 
our faith, by a life consistent with our pro- 
fession. 

If human nature, fallen as it is, prompts 
men of the world to labor zealously to supply 
their own temporal necessities and the wants 
of those whom Providence has made to de- 
pend upon them, how much more will it be 
expected of those who profess to have drank 



74 SERMON. 

of that pure Fountain of love, the Spirit of 
our blessed Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. 
God has indeed doomed man to eat his bread 
in the sweat of his face ; but as if to reward 
him, he has connected with it a pleasure in 
the labor, and especially, in our efforts to do 
good to others. 

In speaking from these words, let us first 
consider what is here meant by " providing" 
for "his own;" secondly," and especially 
for those of his own house ;" thirdly, what 
it is to "deny the faith;" and lastly, draw a 
comparison between the one who "hath de- 
nied the faith" and the "infidel." 

1. In the first place, we are to consider 
the duty enjoined in the text, to provide for 
our own : which we understand to mean our 
own temporal wants, such as food and raiment 
and every temporal benefit. Every man is 
bound by the laws of nature to provide for 
himself the necessaries of life, honestly in the 
sight of God and men, as far as in him lieth. 
This both reason and common sense dictate. 
This religion inspires. "He that will not 
work, shall not eat/' is the teaching of the 
word of God. "Provide things honest in the 
sight of all men," is the instruction of the 



SERMON. 75 

great apostle to the Gentiles; at the same 
time giving them an example, by working 
with his own hands, to supply his necessities, 
and the wants of those who were with him. 
I have heard it said that a lazy person cannot 
be a christian, and the same idea seems to be 
supported in my text. 

1 l But if any provide not for his own . ' ' Ke- 
ligion benefits those who possess it, by regu- 
lating their appetite for temporal things, as 
well as giving them a relish for spiritual 
ones. While we are in love with sin, we la- 
bor hard to enjoy its pleasures. How indus- 
triously do wicked men labor for what they 
can eat, drink and wear. And shall a chris- 
tian be less active to secure for himself the 
necessaries of life ? — he would prove himself 
indeed to be worse than the infidel. But we 
have other wants to be supplied, beside those 
of the body. God has given to all men an 
intellectual nature — a rnind, which distin- 
guishes them from the brutes. These minds 
are capable of improvement ; and every man 
is under obligation to make use of the means 
and opportunities which God has given him 
for cultivating his mind, by educating him- 
self, that he may be useful to himself and 



76 SERMON. 

those around him. But man is a social be- 
ing as well as an intellectual one. "God 
hath made of one blood, all nations of men, 
for to dwell on all the face of the earth. — 
(Acts 17: 26.) Much of our happiness, and 
usefulness in this world arises from this qual- 
ity which man possesses over the animal cre- 
ation. And just in proportion, as we shall 
cultivate, and refine our social and intellec- 
tual natures, just in that proportion, shall 
we rise above the level of the savage and 
the heathen. 

But man has a soul, which must be fitted 
for the enjoyment of God, here and hereafter. 
Now to provide for the wants of the soul, is 
our highest duty on earth. — Sin has un- 
clothed us of that innocence in which our 
Creator first made us, and the responsibility 
now rests upon every soul, to provide a cloth- 
ing which will stand the inspection of God 
himself. This clothing, Christ has prepared 
through His sufferings, and death, and it is 
given to all them that believe in Him. And 
surely, if it be our duty to provide temporal 
things for ourselves, and for those of our own 
house, how much more are we bound to seek 
and secure the one thing needfuj. 



SERMON. 77 



2. But we will consider in the second place, 
what is meant by providing for our own 
house? — "-.and especially for those of his own 
house?" House here means family. First, 
we will consider the duty devolving upon a 
christian parent, in making suitable provi- 
sion for his own house, or family. This 
embraces all we have urged as his duty to 
himself. It is the duty of all parents, to 
provide for their families every temporal good 
which adds to their own comfort or usefulness 
in life. And it is no less the duty of parents 
to provide for the spiritual necessities of their 
own families. And first — we shall consider 
the duty of parents, to provide suitable train- 
ing for their children. This is a duty which 
God has enjoined and approves. He said of 
Abraham, "For I know him, that he will 
command his children and his household af- 
ter him, and they shall keep the way of the 
Lord, to do justice and judgment, that the 
Lord may bring upon Abraham, that which 
He hath spoken of him/' The duty of pa- 
rents to train their children religiously, is 
clearly taught under the gospel dispensation. 

"And ye fathers, provoke not your chil- 
dren to wrath, but bring them up in the nur- 



78 SERMON. 

ture and admonition of the Lord/' Here, 
we have divine authority, for teaching our 
children, the things, which make for their 
good, both in this life and that which is to 
come. But it may be asked, to what extent 
are parents bound to comply with these high 
and solemn obligations? We answer, to the 
utmost of their ability. To whom much is 
given, of him much is required, and to whom 
little is given, of him little is required. — 
But all are bound to train up their children 
u in the way they should go, that when they 
are old, they may not depart from it." This 
duty is seen in the judgments which Grod has 
visited upon those parents and children who 
have neglected to obey the Lord in this par- 
ticular.— (1 Samuel 2: 34.) 

3. We are, in the third place, to enquire 
what it is to "deny the faith." Much is said 
in the Scriptures about faith. Much depends 
upon it. We are said to be " justified by 
faith," and u saved by faith ;" we " live by 
faith." And inasmuch, as such as are spok- 
en of in the text are said to be worse than an 
infidel, because they provide not for them- 
selves and families, thereby showing that they 
have denied the faith, therefore let us try to 



sermox. 79 

consider what genuine faith is. and what it 
is to deny it. This is the most important 
point in the subject now before us. " With- 
out faith it is impossible to please God/' 

We will consider some of the effects of this 
distinguishing grace. There are several 
kinds of faith spoken of in the Bible. In one 
case, men are said to " believe for a while. ;? 
This faith is shown us in the parable taught 
by our blessed Saviour, in the characters rep- 
resented by the seed sown upon the rock, 
"which for a while believe, and in time of 
temptation fall away. ; ? — (Luke 8 : 33.) 

There is a faith which is called dead,— 
"Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, 
being alone/' — (James 2: 17.) But the faith 
which enables the christian to obey the Sav- 
iour in all things, is said to "work by love. 7 ' 
■ — (Gal. 5: 6.) Now we say that those who 
have this faith, will never deny it, The 
counterfeit may deceive, but the genuine 
cannot. We say this faith cannot deny it- 
self. All who are spoken of in the Old Tes- 
tament as having this faith never denied it. 
By it Abel made a more excellent sacrifice to 
God than Cain. By it, Enoch walked with 
God, when the other portion of mankind 



80 SERMON. 

walked in the vain wicked imaginations of 
their own hearts. "By faith Noah, being 
warned of God of things not seen as yet, 
moved with fear, prepared an ark for the sav- 
ing of his house." "Abraham believed God, 
and it was counted unto him for righteous- 
ness/' 

This is the grace which enables believers 
to renounce the pleasures of sin, which are 
but for a season. It gives them a complete 
victory over the world. It abideth with hope 
and charity. Now, whosoever professes this 
faith, and then by his unholy life denies it, 
by neglecting to provide for his own, and es- 
pecially for those of his own house, makes it 
manifest that he never had it. It is as un- 
changeable as its Author, for it is the gift of 
God. It prompted Noah to labor over a hun- 
dred years, to build an ark, to save his house. 
And what it has done, it will continue to 
do, for those who have it. This is the prin- 
ciple in religion which purifies the heart, 
overcomes the world, and causes christians 
to love one another, whatever may be their 
circumstances, or color or rank in life. 

4. We are now in the fourth and last place 
to draw a comparison between those who de- 



SERMON. 81 

ny the faith , and an infidel. Now an infidel, 
is an unbeliever in the religion of Christ. — 
Yet he provides for his own, and especially 
for those of his own house. In this he is 
consistent with himself. Here he acts from 
reason, and principles of nature. But the 
individual who denies the faith, is one, who 
has taken upon himself the solemn vow be- 
fore God and men, that he will act out what 
his profession supposes him to be in posses- 
sion of, which is superior in its influence, 
to the infidel's principles, yet he fails to do 
as much. 

But again, an infidel is a bad man, and 
makes no pretensions to hide it. But he 
who contradicts his profession, by denying 
it in the manner here set forth, is worse 
for attempting to cover up a character, which 
in itself is no better. But consider the ef- 
fect produced by a false faith, (and we have 
shown, that such a faith, as does not come 
up with the infidel's, is false.) it does the 
person no harm. Many persons, when they 
make a profession of faith, suppose it is the 
true faith, but after a while, they find that 
their faith does not work by love, it does not 
purify their hearts. They love sin secretly, 



82 SERMON. 

as much as before. They love worldly com- 
pany as well as ever. And they find the 
employments, which their profession enjoins 
upon them, irksome and dry. Such persons 
are greatly deceived, yet they are ashamed to 
confess it, and throw off the mask of profes- 
sion. And such persons are often the great- 
est fault-finders with those, whose true faith 
inspires them to endure hardness, afflictions 
and deny themselves and take up their cross, 
so that they may glorify their Saviour in 
their bodies and spirits which are theLord's. 
In conclusion, dear brethren, let us, who 
have made a profession of faith, examine our- 
selves, whether we be in the faith of the gos- 
pel, or not. "Know ye not your own selves 
how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be 
reprobates . ' ' Amen . 



STATISTICAL REPORT 

OF ALL THE 

COLORED PROTESTANT CHURCHES 

AND SABBATH SCHOOLS 

IN BALTIMORE. 



(As quoted from the Minutes of their re- 
spective bodies, for the year 1859.) 



Sharp st. and Wesley Chapel, Meth.Ep., 1812 

Orchard st. and Asbury, " 1508 

Dallas st. ? " 119 

Bethel, Saratoga st., African M.E., 1398 

Ebenezer, Montgomery st., " " 600 

Union Bethel, Fell's Point, " " 100 

Water's Chapel, Spring st,, u " 98 

Mission " Tissia st., " Ci 11 

South Howard st. Chapel, ZionMeth., 200 

St. Thomas', Chesnut st.,Meth.Prot., 70 

St. James', Saratoga st., Episcopal, 100 

Presbyterian church, Madison st., 69 
First Baptist, cor. Young andThomsonst., 99 

Union Baptist, Lewis st., 63 

Saratoga st. African Baptist Chapel, 73 



Total Col' d Prot. Eeligious Popul'n, 6386 



SABBATH SCHOOL REPORT. 
(Rendered to the S. S. Union, for 1859.) 





s 


m 
P5 
H 

O 

o 


05 
« 

m 

© 
> 


< 

m 

A 

m 


MALE TEA( 
SCHOLARS. 


Sharps!;., M.E. 


5 




200 


15 


15 200 


Orchard st., u 








6 


9 177 


Asbury, " 




2 






45 259 


Dallas st. , " 








20 


17 250 


John Wesley, " 






250 


10 


10 120 


Bethel, African M.E. 


,60 


15 


200 


16 


16 350 


Ebenezer, " " 










27 178 


Spring st., " " 






113 




13 120 


Allen chapel, " " 








6 


58 


Union Bethel, " " 










11 86 


Good Samaritan, " 








6 


60 


Tissia st. " " 






108 




6 30 


St. Thomas, M.P,, 






200 


3 


4 56 


S.How'dst., Zion, 








5 


7 102 


Mt. Olive, Ind., 








3 


7 40 


Presbyterian, 








20 


10 240 


Episcopal, 






205 


5 


5 70 


First Col'd Baptist, 






78 


3 


3 33 


Union, " 










11 86 


Saratoga st. " 


40 


1 


250 


8 


6 150 



Aggregate, 106 18 1604 126 222 2665 



THE SARATOGA STREET 
INSTITUTE. 



This Seminary for colored people, was 
opened in the upper rooms of the African Bap- 
tist Chapel building, in December, 1856, and 
in a tew months, over one hundred scholars, 
were in attendance. But from circumstances 
which need not be narrated, in 1857, the 
school was removed away, without any rent 
having ever been paidfor the use of the rooms. 
A second time a school has been collected of 
over one hundred scholars, but, up to the 
present time, August, 1859, the trustees of 
the building have never received any sort of 
compensation for the use of the rooms, occu- 
pied by the Institute. 

Mr. J. G-. Goodridge, lately a teacher of a 
Public School, in York, Pa, has now rented 
the rooms, and his friends feel great confi- 
dence in the success of his labors. 



86 SARATOGA STREET INSTITUTE. 

It may be remarked, that the large col- 
ored population of Baltimore, now from thir- 
ty to forty thousand souls, have no sort of 
Public School provision made for them, by 
the city or state governments. They are left 
entirely to themselves for any education they 
may obtain. 

The above named Institute combines ad- 
vantages for the education of colored children 
far superior to any other in the city. 



JUL -0 !9';2 



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